The Concept of Japan’s Governance in Jien’s Historical Work “Gukansho”

Abstract

This report examines the forms of governance considered by Japanese monk Jien in his historical work “Gukansho” (c. 1221). In his work Jien tries to substantiate the legitimacy of recently emerged military governing power and align it with the long-standing system of dual rule of Emperors and members of the Fujiwara clan as regents and chancellors. We analyze the features of Jien’s worldview and his governing conception at different period of Japan’s history.